Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation has issued the first qualification to EASA standards for Brunner Elektronik’s mixed-reality Novasim MR DA42 FNPT (flight and navigation procedures) II flight simulator. Lufthansa Aviation Training will use the simulator in its pilot training program.
Replicating the diesel-powered Diamond DA42, the Novasim MR DA42 includes a motion base. Instead of a large visual display, pilots view the outside world using a Varjo XR-4 mixed-reality headset, which has pass-through viewing so the pilot can see and interact with real cockpit avionics and controls. An advantage of this type of simulator is that the pilot can see in any direction; the field of view isn’t limited by screens positioned outside traditional simulators. The Novasim MR DA42’s imagery is provided by FlightSafety International’s Vital 1150 image generator, replicating the same quality as a level-D simulator.
“This is a milestone not only for Varjo and Brunner, but for the future of pilot training in civil aviation,” said Tristan Cotter, global head of defense and aerospace at Varjo. “With this certification, mixed reality is no longer a forward-looking concept; it’s a verified, scalable, and cost-effective solution ready to meet the operational demands of the industry today.”&nbsp;
“We are proud to lead the way in redefining aviation training by achieving the first-ever EASA qualification for a mixed-reality simulator,” said Brunner CEO Roger Klingler.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Switzerland Qualifies Brunner Mixed-reality Diamond DA42 Flight Simulator

Lufthansa Aviation Training will use the simulator in its pilot training program

Replicating the diesel-powered Diamond DA42, the Novasim MR DA42 simulator includes a motion base. 

Switzerland Qualifies Brunner Mixed-reality DA42 Sim

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Move expands locations for pilot type-rating training

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Presentation of survey results at 2025 CBAA to include base salary and workforce trends

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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How to be an employer of choice

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News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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